Harold Camping's Most Dedicated Followers Predict the End: October 7, 2015

Back when Mr. Camping was predicting the end of the world, a group called eBible fellowship was right in step with his eschatological conclusions. One of the eBible folks was actually a featured speaker on Family Radio during the end of the world countdown.

 I still visit their site from time to time.  These folks are convinced that on May 21, 2011, God "shut the door of Heaven" and since then no one else can be saved. And therefore: "There is a strong likelihood that the spiritual judgment now upon the world will continue for 1600 days and then conclude with the literal destruction of all unsaved people and the end of the world on October 7, 2015." (source)

It Only Takes a Few Weeks to Recover From Teaching Falsely

Here's the recent musings from the main end times group that splintered off Family Radio:

March 10: Years ago I have felt extremely sorrowful over the many false teachings of the churches. We first began as a ministry with the desire of being as faithful as possible to what the Bible says. I have never wanted to teach anything contrary to the Bible. There is enough error out there to last us all many lifetimes. EBible Fellowship existed to teach truth. And yet, without knowing how or where to make correction regarding a doctrine that impacts so much of the Bible itself I do not think it is possible to continue teaching at this time."

Well, that "time" has passed:

April 1, 2012
Starting today, April 1, 2012 EBible Fellowship is resuming Sunday fellowship gatherings. There will be Scripture reading, a few hymns, prayer, and a short Bible study.

The World Did Not End During Purim Because...

...From the splinter Family Radio doomsday group that said the world was supposed to end a few days ago:

"As I review (and have reviewed) all the Bible’s information, concerning May 21, and now Purim. I see things that were wrong (again, no literal earthquake, no physical five months of torment on earth, no end of the world in October, and no end of the world and rapture of God’s people during the feast of Purim); but my problem is that I do not see why they were wrong. Based on the Bible’s evidence I do not see why the world did not end. Therefore I do not know where to make correction.

Years ago I have felt extremely sorrowful over the many false teachings of the churches. We first began as a ministry with the desire of being as faithful as possible to what the Bible says. I have never wanted to teach anything contrary to the Bible. There is enough error out there to last us all many lifetimes. EBible Fellowship existed to teach truth. And yet, without knowing how or where to make correction regarding a doctrine that impacts so much of the Bible itself I do not think it is possible to continue teaching at this time."

Why did Harold Camping Say He Was Wrong About May 21?

The recent "I was wrong" letter from Harold Camping is indeed an encouraging development. I think though that perhaps the above picture is part of the reason for its motivation. There is a group of Camping's followers that are still at it, predicting the end of this world March 2012, coinciding with Purim (which began March 7, and ends March 8). The main voice from this group is Chris McCann. He was actually a featured speaker on Family Radio previously when the world ended, closely connected with Mr. Camping during the whole thing. Chris has stated the following about Mr. Camping's letter:

From: chris
Subject: [TimeandJudgment_May212011] Mr. Camping's letter
To: TimeandJudgment_May212011@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, March 3, 2012, 12:07 PM

 Dear Time and Judgment,

Some of you may have heard, or certainly soon will hear that Mr.Camping has written a letter in which he makes the statement that he now believes 'no man knows' the day or hour of Christ's return.

The Time and Judgment group will not post this letter in this group, as we do not wish to partake in spreading this type of message which the Bible does not support.

Please allow me to make a suggestion regarding how we should react to this information: I believe we should listen to see if there are any Bible verses being offered as proof texts to this. The note itself just quoted the same verses we have been hearing for years which state 'no man knows the day or hour'. Since we have been addressing these very same verses for years and explaining to people (in the churches mostly) that you must compare these statements with all that the Bible has to say about the matter, the quoting of the very same verses as proof texts is simply not good enough.

So far, nothing new has been presented to prove 'no man knows'. Therefore the letter (as it stands)carries no weight with the child of God.

I would like to suggest that God has allowed (and fostered) this situation intentionally for His own purposes. I believe that the Lord has certainly heard over the years the many accusations against God's people that we follow a man (Mr.Camping)and not the Bible. Of course, this was never true for the elect. Mr. Camping followed the Word of God in a most faithful way for years, and as Mr. Camping followed the Word of God and taught it, the elect followed him (but really the faithful teaching of the Word of God). This is a difficult thing to draw a distinction between, therefore the accusations that God's people were following a man were often made. Once again, I think that God has developed this present situation in order to test His people and at the same time demonstrate to all the critics out there that God's people have always followed the Word of God and not man. What a better way to do it than to have the very same man, a man that has been more faithful and diligent than anyone alive, a man beloved by the people of God, and a man that taught himself all sorts of wonderful things never before understood from the Bible including the timeline of history, to have this same man make a statement contrary to the Bible in order to prove that the people of God have never really followed the man himself, by himself. But rather, have always followed the man as he had followed the Bible.

May the Lord grant us His Wisdom,
Chris

I'm only speculating about this new date being the possible reason for Mr. Camping's letter. I've been following this group for a bit. Perhaps this sort of connection might appear to take away some of the sincerity behind Mr. Camping's apology. That is, the shenanigans of this group provoked Mr. Camping and Family Radio to once and for all distance themselves from date setting. Perhaps. Personally, it doesn't really bother me if indeed this was one of the reasons. Sometimes people need to be pushed a little bit to do the right thing.

March 2012 is the End of the World...Harold Camping's Ideas Lives On

I still check in on some of the Harold Camping-related groups. The picture above is from one of the groups that has been closest to (but just far enough away from) Mr. Camping, eBible fellowship. The main voice from this website is Chris McCann. He was actually a featured speaker on Family Radio previously when the world ended. It appears these Camping followers are a liitle more careful now... notice the question mark in the graphic? They appear to be carrying  the numerology-date-setting torch now. On their website they provide this thirty second video teaser:







Their recent calculations for March 2012 go as follows:

In this study we are going to discuss some things related to the five months of torment that we had thought would take place between May 21 and October 21, 2011. As we do so, we will find that we were correct in our understanding that God intended to judge the world for a period of five months. But we will also learn that we were incorrect regarding one of our assumptions about the dating of the five months period of torment. In this study we will attempt to correct this misunderstanding, and afterwards also see how God’s timeline extends from:
1.May 21, 2011 (the beginning of Judgment Day) until the last day of Judgment Day.
2.Five months of torment from May 21 until a date in October 2011, during the feast of tabernacles.
3.From the end of the five months in October 2011 until the feast of Purim in March, 2012

This other video lays out their position:







If you're curious at all to see how these folks work through all this stuff, they have an active message board: Time and Judgement.

Recent Statement from Harold Camping

Message from Mr. Camping

In this 5 minute mp3 recording, there are not any new dates for the end of the world. The most fascinating comment is an apology from Mr. Camping that back in May he should not have said that those who did not believe May 21 was the rapture date probably had not become saved. "I should not have said that. I apologize."

How to set your own date for the end of the world

Have you ever wondered how Harold Camping and his followers figure out the date for the end of the world? One of Camping's closest followers provides this link: Numbers in the Bible. I know, that's not that impressive. Here's what is: they also have developed a computer program to do their Bible math:

Bible Calculator: The Bible Calculator is a computer tool for researching numbers and time intervals found in God's Word, the Bible

Bible Calculator (Java)

I wonder if any of the people who developed this program had anything to do with Windows Vista.

New Date? The End of the World is October 22, Not October 21

Here's a tweet from a serious Harold Camping website:

One of the brethren with great understanding of the Biblical calendars created a spreadsheet showing every day from May 21, 1988 to October 21, 2011 using both inclusive and non-inclusive methods of counting. This shows that the 153rd day ends on sunset October 22rd (Tishri 23) Jerusalem time.


Here is Chris McCann's explanation from 10/21/11 (mp3). McCann is currently a featured speaker on Family Radio.

"Our error was thinking May 21 to October 21 in terms of our 24 hour days starting in the morning rather than in terms of evening-mornings which would mean May 21/22 (evening/morning) to October 21/22 (evening/morning)."

Harold Camping Arrested?

The hoax and jokes begin:

http://www.benningtonvalepress.com/2011/10/harold-camping-in-custody-after.html

On a serious note:

New Date? The End of the World is October 22, Not October 21?

Here's a tweet from a serious Harold Camping website:

"One of the brethren with great understanding of the Biblical calendars created a spreadsheet showing every day from May 21, 1988 to October 21, 2011 using both inclusive and non-inclusive methods of counting. This shows that the 153rd day ends on sunset October 22rd (Tishri 23) Jerusalem time."

Advice from Family Radio on the End of the World

Even though Harold Camping isn't actively speaking on Family Radio since his illness, his followers are still busy. On Family Radio's website the most recent recording appears to be from Tom Evans (Evans is on the board of Family Radio, and claims to have known Mr. Camping for thirty years). They are promoting his "Latest Study (Oct 16,2011)" (mp3).  It's an extremely fascinating listen.  At around eleven minutes in he says,

"2011 has become a very real year. It has become a very important year. So now, here we are now. The ten thousand pound elephant sitting right in the room. In less than five days from today, we'll know whether we were right or wrong, whether we understood the scriptures correctly, whether the Spirit of God directed us, or whether we were deceived. That's a big question."

At around sixteen minutes in Tom says,

"Has the Spirit of God guided us to this point? I say yes. I'm not ashamed of the Gospel. I'm not ashamed of all the verses."

This link also covers this audio presentation from Family Radio:  Harold Camping Oct. 21 Rapture: Family Radio Seeks to Comfort Believers Ahead of 'Rapture'.

And by the way, free materials from Family Radio are no longer available till October 24. They are now available to October 27.

It's the End of the World... Again (10/21/11)

Just a quick reminder that the world is ending again on October 21, 2011.

Oddly, Family Radio has free materials they're giving away until October 24, 2011.

I listened to Family Radio a bit today. Chris McCann was doing their Bible study, and yes, he was explaining October 21.  You can hear some of his Q & A on his own web page about October 21.

And lest we forget May 21, 2011, here's a little reminder.

Family Radio: New Website, Camping Stroke Update, Math Prophecy Update

http://www.familyradio.com/new-index.html

Including:

WHAT HAPPENED ON MAY 21?

"What really happened this past May 21st ? What really happened is that God accomplished exactly what He wanted to happen. That was to warn the whole world that on May 21 God’s salvation program would be finished on that day. For the next five months, except for the elect (the true believers), the whole world is under God’s final judgment. To accomplish this goal God withheld from the true believers the way in which two phrases were to be understood. Had He not done so, the world would never have been shaken in fear as it was."

And also:

Harold Camping, the president and general manager of Family Radio, suffered a mild stroke on the evening of June 9, 2011. Mr. Camping is receiving excellent care, and the doctors treating him are encouraged with the progress that he is making. Mr. Camping's family appreciates everyone's thoughts and prayers. Any additional information will be updated on this site.

From another source:

"Mr. Camping has been moved to a Skilled Nursing Facility, where he is undergoing rehabilitation to regain his strength. Mr. and Mrs. Camping greatly appreciate all the cards, letters and flowers they have received, as well as your continuing thoughts and prayers. God has been very merciful."

Check out this bit of prophecy math:

As many of you are aware the five months period between May 21st and October 21st is 153 days. We find this number in the 4th gospel (John 21:6-11).

-snip-

The 153 fish is described as “the multitude of fishes.” We’ve known for some time that this passage relates to the period of Great Tribulation that just finished on May 21st of 2011. These fish represented the “great multitude” that came out of Great Tribulation (see Revelation 7:9-14).

The number 153 breaks down into 9 x 17 or 3 x 3 x 17. The number three indicates it is God’s purpose (a biblical number is assigned meaning depending on how God uses it in the Bible). In this case, the number three is doubled indicating an even stronger emphasis upon the purpose of God concerning this great catch of fish (in other places the Lord makes sure we’re aware that fish typify men–for instance, Jesus told the disciples, “Behold, I will make you fishers of men”).

Harold Camping in the Hospital, Stroke?

I'm looking to get this verified.  It's interesting how fast "news" travels as Wikipedia already includes  the fact that Camping's had a stroke.

Update: I listened to the entire Open forum for June 9, and did not notice anything odd. As of the posting of this entry, the link for the June 10 Open Forum was not posted.

Looking through news feeds, as of 2 pm Eastern Time, I haven't found any stories reporting this.

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: "AudioHQ@..."
To: Latter_Rain@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Fri, June 10, 2011 8:51:02 PM
Subject: [LR] MR. CAMPING


Hello Group,

Sorry to report that Mr. Camping suffered a stroke last night shortly after the Open Forum and is currently in a local hospital. I have no other details. Please just pray for him and do not try to contact anyone at his home or Family Radio. He and Shirley have enough family members to handle the situation. I'm sure we'll be able to publicly update everyone on Monday.

Meanwhile, tonight's Open Forum is a repeat from 1991 from my achieves and KFTL and WFME-TV is a repeat of a very recent program.

Once again, let's continue to pray for his swift recovery.

Charlie Menut
WFME

A few Recent Camping Clips

I caught these clips from the Open forum, 6/2/11

Mr. Camping's advice to a Campingite

The Earthquake on October 21, 2011

Interesting stuff.

If Mr. Camping survives his stroke, perhaps he'll spiritualize the earthquake on October 22.

Tim LaHaye vs. Harold Camping

I came across this from Tim LaHaye: Is Harold Camping Right This Time? LaHaye states,

www.WeCanKnow.com has well advertised their claim that Jesus Christ will come to rapture believers on May 21, 2011 -- this is not only wrong but dangerous. They also claim that God will destroy this world on October 21, 2011-- this is not only bizarre but 100% wrong!

-snip-

You can be sure the rapture will not occur when anyone sets a date because God wants us all to live every day as though Christ could come today. A great motto for daily living is PERHAPS TODAY. For one day it will happen and we don't know when, but we don't want you to be left behind!

Now before anyone begins high-fiving Tim LaHaye, keep this in mind. To my understanding, Mr. Camping did not look around at current events and declare the end of the world. In fact, after one of the last big earthquakes /tsunamis a few weeks ago, I heard Mr. Camping say it had nothing to do with the forthcoming end of the world.   Mr. Camping used his theomatics and quadriga-esque interpretation rather than correlating the news to the Bible.

On the other hand, make no mistake about it, Tim LaHaye is watching the signs of the times to be prepared for the rapture and end of the world.  From the same website (as the link posted above), is this article, Three Signs of the End By Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins:

In our book Are We Living in the End Times? we list many of the signs of the times apparent in our generation. We believe that while no one knows the day or the hour when Christ will return, we have more reason to believe He could come in our lifetime than any generation before us.
Many leading politicians look to the potential of a world government as the panacea that would bring global peace. That is why the United Nations was formed, yet even with its 60-year incapability to bring about peace, it remains the dream of many world planners.
World government is only one leg of the prophesied three-legged stool of end times globalism. The other two are a one-world economy and a one-world religion. The worldwide interchange of goods and services today, along with the current economic chaos, seems a clear signal that the prophecies of Revelation 13 and 18 may be coming true.
The one-world religion is beginning to form but will really come together right after the Rapture when Christ calls His church to heaven to be with Him in His Father’s house (John 14:1-3). Even today Christianity is one main impediment to the forming of a global religion, which will (according to Revelation 17) be destroyed at the end of the Tribulation period.
God in His mercy may wait one more day, which in His economy of time is a thousand of our years. But we are instructed to watch and wait for Christ’s imminent return, as if it could be today. Because it could!
We believe every Christian and church should share the Gospel faithfully with as many as possible. Our driving passion is that we don’t want anyone to be left behind.

LaHaye is troubled Camping picked a date. LaHaye though, while not picking a date, has no problem interpreting history and the Bible in such a way as to prove "we have more reason to believe He could come in our lifetime than any generation before us."

Apples and oranges.

Eavesdropping on Campingites

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TimeandJudgment_May212011/message/9239

Chris: As you know, Mr. Camping never instructed anyone concerning their careers or their finances. He always indicated that they should seek the Lord's will concerning these things.

I know of people (even years ago)that gave up many things, for the sake of the gospel way before any known Day of Judgment was in view (actually God's people have done this throughout history).
_______________________________________________

Ray: This is more than about "MONEY" I know of at lease "Four" marriages that are in the process of being dissolved over this including mine, not including the loss friendships,family members dis-owning some of us,etc...Yesterday, a Brother was kick out of his sisters home and has no place to go or has a Job and is left in a depress state of confusion like alot of us.Also, you can not back peddle on the "Judgment Day" massage and say all these other things were not part of the message.In fact,they were, "everyone" knew what we were saying Judgment day is....THE END OF THE WORLD..this is no doubting this.No one is looking for sympathy it is what it is and no one is blaming anyone,we chose to do this and are only looking for direction at this point.Frankly,I feel like the dung on the ground...Sorry,for the venting,but no of this can be taken likely,our credibility is shot.
_________________________________________________

Tony: Hi Ray, That was well said, I also have been a supporter of FR for over 15 yrs. And now I hear 2 different messages coming from FR Camping says the possibility of anyone being saved ended on May21, but on or about May 26 FR was still asking for donations to get the True Gospel out into the world, why???
I have also lost all credibility in bringing the Word of God to my friends, workers, and most hurting, to my family. Now I'm in the process of sending emails to all that I have stressed out especially to my family, for sending them wrong info. with an apology for listening to the twist that HC sent out, and saying it has to happen (rolling earthquakes and rapture on Gods people) on May 21 because the Bible guarantees it. I love FR and HC I learned a lot from his teachings, and I am praying for him. And I still believe that Oct.21 will be the last day, only because I personally checked out the time line of history(creation 11013 BC and the end of world 5/21/2011) from a CD I have from John Mc Owen from info he took from the Bible and it proves out. Now I can understand what the Bible says( No man knows the DAY OR HOUR OF CHRIST RETURN) but we can know the year. I send my love and prayers to all the brothers and sisters on this web site and through out the world.
_________________________________________________

Ralph: Hello Tony and all.....my question is just where was ...the starting point of .........."Time Line of History by John Mc Owen " was it to look at HC's and double check what he found ? or was it a completely new from start to finish a study with absolutely no \consideration from the study that HC presented? Since this was available through FR one must ask if JOHN Mc Owen is an associate of HC in some fashion , thus making me believe that it very well be a double check of HC findings . If it had anything "AT ALL " TO DO WITH WHAT HC 'S WORK SHOWED THEN ONE SHOULD ASK ,MUST ASK IS IT REALLY TRUSTWORTHY ,and I'm sure that any reasonable thinking person will /would agree . will await any and all replies on this matter.

________________________________________

Ervin:Ralph, I assume you went through the study for yourself. I would hope you didn't just accept John's study without first checking it for yourself. So far we know that God's timeline of history is accurately unfolded. We have the many proofs that let us know that it is accurate.I don't think the failed rapture of May 21 can be blamed on the timeline. The timeline did not indicate that the rapture will take place on May 21. The timeline only indicate that the period of great tribulation will end on May 21. Maybe you can tell us what specifically where you are having an issue with the timeline?

Campingite: None of us need hang our heads because of this

This Campingite website (eBible Fellowship) was one of the most extreme. They've completely overhauled their website this past week, deleting much of the May 21st propaganda (Here's a version of the site from last year).

From following some rabbit trail links, I think I came across a statement from one of their key people. Notice, May 21 was a success:

Now, FR did teach through the air additional information, and occasionally during media interviews additional details were offered (concerning earthquakes, etc.); but overall, the message that covered the globe was Judgment Day! It was mostly this that was on shirts, hats, and signs. And indeed, on May 21 that is what took place. None of us need hang our heads because of this. This was of the will of God. Only He could have opened up such a great door and effectual. Overall, the message that got out there was correct. We did err in some of the details as to how this would play out (physically compared to spiritually).May the Lord's perfect will be done, Chris

By the way, a pro-Camping message group can be found here.

What Harold Camping Got Right

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/phil-cooke-phd/what-harold-camping-got-right_b_865111.html

"So when it comes to telling his story and getting that story heard, fringe radio preacher Harold Camping and his small band of followers have embarrassed the largest denominations, churches, and Christian ministries in America. This morning, his story was on the front page of the Los Angeles Times -- and most likely every other major paper in America. His story leads CNN and other news networks today. His story is being talked about on Twitter hashtags, blogs, social media sites, and on the street. Why? Because Harold Camping and his followers really believe their message. When that happens, you're not afraid to spend money, creativity, passion, and energy to make sure your story impacts people's lives. It's just a shame that it's the wrong message. And even more of a shame the rest of us have done such a poor job of getting the right one out."

The Roman Catholic Harold Camping?

HT:PeaceByJesus

Catholic Planet: The Future of the Church and the World

Please understand that my writings about the future are speculative eschatology, based on study and interpretation, not based on knowledge that is absolute or certain.

Update: my predicted dates for the Warning, Consolation, and Miracle (in April and May of 2011) were wrong. The next year that fits my analysis is 2016. However, I still think that the tribulation will begin soon, probably in 2011.

Now that Judgment Day Has Arrived, What Will Family Radio Play?

Here's Harold Camping's answer to what Family Radio will play now. Now that the church is in a period of judgment what should they do? The answer: Play lots of music. A period of judgment tends to go much faster with  the right tunes. Also Family Radio will not offer any more tracts. Why? Well, for what purpose would they serve to a world already being judged?

 Here's the clip: What will Family Radio do now? (from Open Forum, 5/26/11).